Deputies arrest robbery suspect, three others

June 21, 2014

NEW MATAMORAS - Deputies arrested four New Matamoras residents Thursday night, including the man suspected of robbing a New Matamoras home and gas station earlier in the week.

Joseph Slider, 24, of 1222 Williamson Ave. was pinpointed by other residents in the home as the culprit in both incidents, officials said. According to a report from the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the home's residents said Slider had been seen wrapping coins on his bed following a home burglary on Ohio 7 on June 13.

Fellow resident Melody Keene, 58, added that she had seen Slider with a large stack of dollar bills the morning after a masked suspect waved a knife and stole more than $400 from Par Mar in New Matamoras.

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After the Par Mar robbery, a police dog tracked the suspect's scent to the Williamson Avenue residence. Dark clothes matching those worn by the suspect were found in the home, according to the report.

Slider was arrested and charged with a first-degree felony count of aggravated robbery and a second-degree felony count of burglary.

Keene and two others at the home were also arrested for a variety of charges.

Melody Keene and 18-year-old Cody Keene each had used syringes in their respective bedrooms, resulting in a second-degree misdemeanor charge of possession of drug abuse instruments against each, officials said.

Melody was also found with several items stolen during the home burglary, including a collectible coin, rings and a watch, police said. She was additionally charged with a first-degree misdemeanor count of receiving stolen property.

Larry D. Loy, 55, told deputies that he had concealed a stolen firearm under his mattress at Slider's request. Loy has prior criminal violations that prevent him from possessing a firearm, resulting in a fourth-degree felony charge of weapons under a disability and a third-degree felony count of receiving stolen property.

At the Washington County Jail, Loy allegedly spit water on two corrections officers while being booked. Because Loy has tested positive for Hepatitis C, the actions resulted in two additional charges of assault on a peace officer, third-degree felonies, officials said.

Melody and Cody Keene have been released from the Washington County Jail. Loy and Slider remain incarcerated in lieu of respective bonds of $35,000 and $150,000.